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40 Cards in this Set

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Ad hominem argument

From the Latin meaning “to or against the man”, this is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, to feeling rather than intellect.

Allegory

The device of using characters and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. (Ex- characters meant to personify hope or freedom). The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. They can be historical, religious, or mythical. (There are other possibilities also).

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of one line or clause to begin the next. [“Doubling back”].

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something familiar.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.

Aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If authorship is unknown the statement is considered to be a folk proverb). It can be a memorable summation of the author’s point

Apostrophe

Breaking off discourse to address some absent person or thing, some abstract quality, or nonexistent character

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses (opposite of polysyndeton).

A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed. (Similar to antimetabole, chiasmus also involves a reversal of structures in successive phrases or clauses.) Chiastic

Clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent (main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent (subordinate) clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

Colloquial/ colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. They include local or regional dialects.

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. It displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made.

Concession

Figure wherein a speaker/ writer concedes or leaves a disputed point to the audience to decide.

Connotation

The non-literal associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. They may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

Dehortatio

Dissuasive advice given with authority.

Diction

Refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. An author chooses words to create effects that enhance the meaning of his work. One component of an author’s style.

Didactic

From the Greek, didactic literally means “teaching”. Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

Ellipsis

Omission of one or more words, which must be supplied by the listener or reader. [“A falling short”].

Enthymeme

An informally stated syllogism with an implied premise. [“Piece of reasoning”].

Epiphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses.

Epigram

A pithy saying, often using contrast. The epigram is also a verse form, usually brief and pointed.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

Epithet

Using an appropriate adjective (often habitually) to qualify a subject.

Ethos

Persuasive appeal based on the projected character of the speaker or narrator.
ETHICAL proof ir proof that depends upon the good character or PROJECTED character of a rhetor.
[disposition, character]

Euphemism

Substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensively explicit. ["use of good words"]